Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with Creamy Cheese Sauce

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning store-bought or homemade
• 1 tbsp tomato paste deepens umami
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce canned
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar optional, rounds heat
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 8 oz sharp cheddar or American freshly shredded
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• salt pinch
• 4–6 brioche hamburger buns split, toasted
• softened butter for toasting, as needed
• freshly ground black pepper to finish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1 Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground chicken; cook and crumble until no longer pink, 5–7 minutes. Stir in onion; cook 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and Cajun seasoning; cook 1 minute until fragrant. Mix in tomato paste until the meat is glossy and brick-red. Pour in broth, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire; stir. Simmer on low, uncovered 8–10 minutes, until thick and spoonable. Season with salt to taste; add brown sugar if you want a touch of sweet heat. Tip: If it tightens too much, splash in 1–2 tbsp broth to loosen.
2. 2 In a small saucepan over medium, melt butter. Whisk in flour; cook 1 minute to form a pale roux. Slowly whisk in milk; cook 4–5 minutes, whisking, until it lightly coats the back of a spoon. Reduce heat to low. Stir in shredded cheese and paprika until just melted and silky. Season with a pinch of salt. Do not boil after adding cheese.
3. 3 Butter the cut sides of brioche buns and toast in a hot pan or under the broiler 1–2 minutes until golden. Spoon a generous mound of Cajun chicken onto each bottom bun. Ladle warm cheese sauce over the top so it cascades down the sides. Grind black pepper over the sauce, cap with the top bun, and serve immediately. Tip: Build over a parchment-lined tray—extra sauce drips are liquid gold for fries.

NUTRITION

Calories: 740 kcalkcal | Carbohydrates: 56 gg | Protein: 46 gg | Fat: 41 gg | Fiber: 2 gg | Sugar: 9 gg